Radio system with universal communication interface

ABSTRACT

A radio system comprises a radio ( 1 ) having a transmit mode activated by a press to talk (PTT) switch ( 16 ) mounted on a universal communication interface ( 12 ) for mounting on a radio interface ( 6 ) associated with the radio ( 1 ). The radio interface ( 6 ) may or may not form part of the radio ( 1 ) and a plurality of radio interfaces may be provided for different applications, such that a standard universal communication interface ( 12 ) can be used with different types of equipment.

[0001] The present invention relates to a radio system and particularly,but not exclusively, to a system employing what are commonly known as apersonal role radios as typically carried by members of the armed forcesor organisations such as the police. Here there is often a requirementfor an individual to have a personal role radio to permit two waycommunication.

[0002] Conventional two way radios operate in either duplex or simplexmode, the duplex mode is similar to a telephone system where the receiveand transmit paths are both open and both parties can speak to eachother with no other requirement.

[0003] The more common operation is simplex where the transmit path ofeach radio only works when the transmitter is keyed by the operation ofa “press to talk switch” (PTT). The types of switch used vary and can beeither part of a microphone as in the case of the hand held types incommon use, or a switch box in a lead between the radio and a headset,as used in commercial and operational headsets.

[0004] Operators often have to operate a radio transmit switch whileusing their hands to do other things and certain systems incorporatevoice activation where the radio is switched at the detection of theusers voice from the microphone. This technique is not reliable withsome applications and the need for a switch actuated by the user isstill the only reliable means of controlling the radio.

[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a radiosystem comprising a radio having a transmit mode and a press to talk(PTT) switch to set the radio to a transmit mode, wherein the systemfurther comprises a radio interface associated with the radio and auniversal communication interface (UCI) in which the PTT switch islocated, the radio interface being arranged to releasably mount said UCIand provide communication between the UCI and radio when mountedthereon.

[0006] By employing the present invention and having a universalcommunication interface (UCI), on which the PTT switch is located andwhich UCI can be releasably mounted on a radio interface, it is possibleto utilise a standard UCI and associated PTT switch for severalapplications. This is particularly advantageous in applications, forexample with the Police or Military, where it enables one single switchtype to be common to a number of applications. This simplifies provisionof the UCI, spares for the UCI, the number of lead termination typesrequired on auxiliary equipment, such as headset, and the amount oftraining required for operators, for regardless of what radio they maybe using if it has a UCI the control principles are the same. Moreimportantly once an operative has trained on the UCI and that UCI typeis common to all radios, there is less likelihood of incorrect PTTswitch operation caused by being unfamiliar with an equipment type asmay occur whilst the operative is concentrating on objectives other thanoperation of the radio.

[0007] Preferably the system comprises a variety of radio interfaceswhich can each receive the UCI, whereby interfaces can be modified toparticular applications. Particular mountings maybe required for certaintypes of vehicle or for where a radio is to be worn by the operator.Radio interfaces may be of different types, being application specificand arranged to connect to different types of radio or to be mounted indifferent locations. That is to say the interface to the UCI is commonwhilst the mounting of the radio interface or any leads from the radiointerfaces can be application specific.

[0008] The radio interface may be mounted directly on the housing of theradio, which is particularly advantageous where the radio is a personalrole radio carried, normally by being strapped, to an operative. Herethe radio and UCI may form one complete unit with no need for anyauxiliary wiring between the two. A headset and lapel microphone orsimilar may be connected to the UCI in the normal manner.

[0009] In an alternative embodiment the radio interface may be a remoteinterface located away from the radio but connect thereto by a physicalcommunication link, either a wire or optical fibre. This may be ofparticular advantage if the radio is for example a large radio mountedin a vehicle for this enables the radio to be mounted at any locationwithin the vehicle. The operative may then have the UCI mounted on itsremote radio interface at a location convenient to the operative, or theradio interface may even be worn by the operative.

[0010] In certain applications, particularly military applications,there is a requirement for a personal role radio to communicate locallyby two way radio, but the operative may also need to be connected to adifferent radio network, for example a combat network radio. In thisscenario the UCI is particularly advantageous if arranged to beconnected to a personal role radio by means of the radio interface andto be connected to a second radio by means of a wire or optical link. Itis then particularly advantageous that the UCI has two PTT switchesmounted thereon, one associated with each radio network.

[0011] In some applications it is required that there is no possibilityof cross-communication between different radio networks. The UCI maythus contain circuitry to ensure no cross-communication can occurbetween at least one transmission and one reception signal associatedwith different radio networks by closing one channel (normally atransmit channel when a receive channel is in use).

[0012] The system of the invention may additionally comprise a wiredremote PTT module having a PTT switch, which module is small relative tothe UCI, the UCI having a connection for the wire to the remote PTTswitch. This enables the function of the PTT switch of the UCI to beoperated remotely of the UCI, enabling the remote PTT module andassociated switch to be mounted at a location convenient to theoperative, for example on the handlebars of a motorbike.

[0013] As an alternative to, or in addition to, the small wired remotePTT module the system may further comprise a cordless remote PTT modulecomprising a PTT switch, the remote module additionally comprising ashort range, relative to the radio, cordless transmitter. The UCI thenadditionally comprises a receiver for receiving signals from the remotemodule to remotely activate the function of the PTT switch of the UCI.This is particularly advantageous for no matter whether the UCI ismounted to a personal role radio or to a remote radio interface,possibly mounted to a vehicle, the operative has the means of operatingthat UCI and the associated radio remotely by means of the remotemodule. The short range transmission may be infra-red but preferably isby way of a radio transmitter.

[0014] Preferably where the UCI has two PTT switches associated with twodifferent radio networks the remote module comprises two PTT switchesassociated with the two radio networks.

[0015] Advantageous the signal transmitted from the remote modulecomprises a code to which the receiver of the UCI is responsive therebyensuring the correct signal is received by the UCI avoiding inadvertentoperation when a number of remote modules are operated by respectiveindividuals in close proximity.

[0016] The receiver of the UCI is advantageously responsive to a varietyof codes associated with different remote modules. This may beparticularly advantageous where the UCI is associated with an operativewho may operate several pieces of equipment each fitted with a remotemodule. The operative can thus operate any piece of equipment associatedwith a remote module and effectively activate the PTT switch of his UCIvia the remote module associated with a respective piece of equipment.

[0017] Advantageously the receiver of the UCI has a ‘learn’ mode inwhich the UCI can learn a code associated with a remote module. This isparticularly advantageous for if the operative loses a remote module, ora remote module is damaged the module can be replaced by a new modulehaving a different pre-programmed code which can then be learnt by theUCI. It is preferable that the UCI learn the code of the module ratherthan the remote module learn any code associated with the UCI for inthis way no receiver is required by the remote module as it only needsto transmit code.

[0018] Preferably the UCI of the system comprises a magneticallyoperated switch and the remote module comprises a magnet, the magnet andmagnetically operated switch being arranged such that the magneticallyoperated switch is caused to adopt a ‘learn’ mode position when theremote module, including said magnet, is held in an appropriate positionrelative to the magnetically sensitive switch, in which positionactivation of the PTT switch on the remote module causes the UCI tolearn the code transmitted by the remote module.

[0019] By pressing the PTT switch on the remote module a number of timesor for period in excess of a predetermined period one or more codes canbe removed from the UCI so that the UCI is no longer responsive to thosecodes. Typically such action would clear all the codes from the UCIwhich would then re-learn the desired code.

[0020] One embodiment of the present invention will now be described byway of example only with reference to the accompanying figures of which:

[0021]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a personal role radio inaccordance with the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a universal communicationinterface (UCI) in accordance with the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a remote radio interface;

[0024]FIG. 3 shows the assembled apparatus of FIG. 1B and 2;

[0025]FIG. 4 shows the assembled apparatus of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B withauxiliary components;

[0026]FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative universal communicationinterface with self-contained speaker and microphone;

[0027]FIG. 6 illustrates the various communications equipment thatinterfaces with the universal communication interface of FIG. 1B;

[0028]FIG. 7A schematically illustrates the primary components withinthe remote module illustrating FIG. 6; and

[0029]FIG. 7B illustrates the primary components of the UCI of FIG. 1Band FIG. 6 which relate to remote operation of the UCI by means of theremote module of FIG. 7A.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1, a personal role radio is illustratedgenerally as 1, having a casing 2, a battery compartment cover 3,operating controls 4 and 5, and an end face constituting a radiointerface 6. The interface 6, has a fitting slot 7, fitting thread 8 andelectrical interconnects 9, 10 and 11.

[0031] The personal role radio 1 comprises an aerial, (which is internalon the embodiment illustrated), a transmitter and receiver by which itmay send and receive radio signals. The personal role radio is designedto be carried by an operative and would typically be carried on a beltor could be mounted in close proximity to the operative, for example ona vehicle associated with the operative.

[0032] The radio interface 6 is designed to receive the universalcommunication interface (UCI) indicated generally as 12 in FIG. 1B. TheUCI 12 comprises a stud not shown and screw 13 which co-operaterespectively with fitting slot 7 and fitting thread 8 to hold the UCIhousing 14 in position. The UCI 12 comprises a headset connector 15,push to talk (PTT) buttons 16 and 17 respectively associated with twodifferent radio networks and two slots, only one 18 of which is shown,for receiving optional cable connections.

[0033] The switches 16 and 17 are depressed in order to talk torespective communication networks through respective radios, one button16 is associated with the personal role radio 1 of FIG. 1A, while button17 is associated with a external radio network, which may be a combatnetwork radio where the radio system is employed in a militaryapplication.

[0034] The universal communication interface comprises circuitry toensure that when a signal is being received on one communication networkthe press to talk function controlled by the button associated with theother network cannot be activated. This ensures that a radio signalbeing received and transmitted to a user, possibly by means of aheadset, cannot inadvertently be picked up by the open microphone andsimultaneously transmitted on the other radio network.

[0035] When the radio of FIG. 1A is mounted to the UCI of FIG. 1B and anappropriate headset or speaker/microphone are connected to the UCI thereis a self-contained personal role radio which may be carried by anoperative, the radio interfacing with the universal communicationinterface via contacts 9 and corresponding contacts (not shown) on theuniversal communication interface 12.

[0036] There are applications where it is not convenient for theoperative to carry the personal role radio, or where the operative maywish to use another radio, perhaps mounted in a vehicle. Indeed theoperative may wish to mount his personal role radio within a vehicle.This is facilitated by the remote radio interface 19 of FIG. 2 which isidentical to the interface 6 on the personal role radio on FIG. 1A, butinstead of being part of that personal role radio is now a stand aloneinterface which may be connected to another radio which could be mountedon board a vehicle, aircraft, boat etc, or a large man-pack infantryradio, by means of connection lead 20.

[0037] The remote radio interface 19 comprises the same physical andelectrical connections as the interface 6 and thus the UCI can bemounted to the remote radio interface 19 as shown in FIG. 3. Referringnow to both FIG. 1B and FIG. 3, slot 18 in the UCI 12 may receive acable with contacts on a spade which connect to contacts 10. Acorresponding slot (not shown) on the other side of the UCI permits asimilar cable with contacts to connect with the contacts 11 on theinterface 6 or 19. These additional leads are illustrated in FIG. 4,lead 21 being connected and lead 22 shown disconnected in order toillustrate contact spade 23 which connects to contacts 11 of FIGS. 1Aand 2.

[0038] In the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, the UCI 12 is mounted on thepersonal role radio 1 but could equally be connect to the remote radiointerface 19 of FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 3. Lead 21 may be connected toan auxiliary radio depending on the application, whilst leads 22connects remote switches 24 and 25, corresponding to press to talkswitches 16 and 17 to the UCI 12. The additional switches 24 and 25 maybe located at a position convenient to an operative for example, on thehandlebars of a motorcycle or quad bike or on the stock of a rifle. Thispermits the radio to be operated without the operative needing to removehis hands from the controls of the vehicle or from a gun he hiscarrying. Alternatively, depending on the application, this function maybe satisfied simply by having the UCI 12 mounted on the remote radiointerface 19 as shown in FIG. 3 and having the complete unit thenmounted at an appropriate location, either on a vehicle or perhaps on achest holster worn by an operative. It will be realised that there areany number of permutations which a remote universal communicationinterface 12 permits.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a variation of theuniversal communication interface of FIG. 1B. Here UCI 26 incorporates amicrophone 27 and speaker 28 such that it can be operated without aheadset. In the embodiment illustrated there is only a single push totalk switch 29 but this is a matter of design choice. The UCI 26interfaces with the personal role radio 1 of FIG. 1A, or the remoteradio interface as illustrated in FIG. 2, in exactly the same manner asthe UCI 12 illustrated in FIG. 1B.

[0040] Both UCI's 12 and 26, illustrated respectively in FIG. 1B andFIG. 5, incorporate a radio receiver, (which could equally be aninfra-red receiver). The function of this receiver is described belowwith reference to FIG. 6 where, for illustrative purposes only, the UCI12 of FIG. 1B is shown connected to a headset, illustrated generally asat 30 having headphones 31 and a microphone 32 located on a stalk whichwhen worn by an operative is in front of the operatives mouth.

[0041] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 the UCI 12 is mounted onthe remote radio interface 19 previously described with reference toFIG. 2. The radio system additionally comprises a cordless remote pressto talk (PTT) module 33 having a PTT switch 34 thereon and a magnet 35,located adjacent the wall of the casing 36 of the remote module 33. Theremote module 33 comprises a low power transmitter arranged such thatoperation of the PTT switch 34 causes a signal 37 to be transmitted tothe UCI 12 which when received by the receiver (not shown) of the UCI 12the UCI functions as though the PTT switch (16) had been depressed.

[0042] The function of the remote module is described below in moredetail with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, however it should be notedthat although only one PTT switch 34 is illustrated on the remote module33, in order to simplify the description, the module 33 could comprisetwo switches corresponding to the switches 16 and 17 of the UCI if themodule is desired to be used with a UCI designed to operate with twonetworks.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 7A the remote module 33 is shown schematicallyto comprise a battery 37 connected by PTT switch 34 to transmit circuit38. When the switch 34 is depressed the battery is connected to thetransmit circuit which retrieves a code from EPROM 39. This code iseffectively unique to the remote module and is transmitted in a signalvia antenna 40 to receiving antenna 41 housed within the UCI 12illustrated schematically in FIG. 7B, with the function of only one PTTswitch 16 illustrated for clarity.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 7B the PTT switch 16 connects the microphone 32to the personal role radio 1. (The communication path to the headphones31 has been omitted for clarity). Although the headset is shownconnected via UCI 12 to personal role radio 1 the radio could be anyradio. The microphone 32 may be connected to the personal role radio 1by means of switch 16 or by means of signal received by receiver 42 viaantenna 41. The receiver 42 when receiving the correctly coded signalcloses switch 43. It should be noted here that although FIG. 7, anddescription thereof, talks about opening and closing switches and theswitches are illustrated as being physical switches contained within theUCI 12, in practice this function may be achieved electronically andindeed may be achieved by generating an appropriate signal to thetransmitter contained within the radio 1.

[0045] In order that the receiver 42 may learn the code which the remotemodule 33 will transmit, the remote module 33 may be held adjacent theUCI 12 with magnet 35 adjacent a magnetically sensitive reed switch 44in the receiver. With the magnet 35 adjacent the reed switch 44, thereed switch closes setting the receivers circuit to a ‘learn’ mode. Anoperative depressing the PTT switch 34 of the remote module 33 causesthe code stored therein to be transmitted from the remote module 33 tothe receiver 42, which code is then stored in memory in the receivecircuit 42 and subsequently recognised as an appropriate code.

[0046] The receiver 42 may learn a number of codes such that it isresponsive to signals from a corresponding number of remote units. Toreset the receiver and wipe out all stored codes the magnet is heldadjacent the reed switch and the PTT switch 34 of the remote module 33pressed five times in quick succession. The receiver circuit 42 isprogrammed to recognise this as a ‘clear all codes’ signal.Alternatively the receiver could be programmed to recognise a signallasting longer than a set duration.

[0047] It will be realised that apparatus in accordance with theinvention may have any number of applications and the particularapplications are outside the scope of the present specification. Howeverfor illustrative purposes a brief reference to one application of theinvention is given below with reference to a rider of a Policemotorcycle.

[0048] The Police rider would typically have a personal role radiomounted upon his person complete with a headset and UCI, the UCI eitherbeing mounted directly to the radio or perhaps strapped to his chest.The advantage of this is that whether on the bike or dismounted thePolice rider carries his complete radio system with him. However whilstriding the bike it is not desirable to let go of the controls andtherefore the remote module 33 may be mounted at a convenient locationon the handlebars of the bike. Thus when the rider wishes to reply to acommunication he can simply push the button 34 and speak into themicrophone. On leaving the bike he leaves the remote module 33 on thebike but can communicate by pressing PTT button 16 on the UCI 12.

[0049] The rider may ride a number of bikes and a particular bike may beridden by a number of riders. Here the rider can program the receiver ofhis UCI with the code of all the bikes or vehicles he rides (cars hedrives) so that a remote module mounted on any one of those vehicleswill operate his particular radio. When he gets on to a bike he has notridden before, he simply places his UCI 12 adjacent the remote module 33of that bike such that the code of that remote module is then stored inthe receiver of his UCI.

[0050] It would be possible for the remote module 33 to have a receiverand receive codes transmitted from the UCI, however this requires anextra receiver in the remote module 33 and transmitter in the UCI 12.Also it will be realised that a learning mode may be generated otherthan by magnet 35 for example a screwdriver could be placed in a smallhole to operate a switch equivalent to the magnet 35 operating reedswitch 43.

[0051] The above describes one way in which the present invention may beemployed. However numerous other implementations and applications willoccur to those skilled in the art which are within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A radio system (1, 12, 19, 33) comprising a radio (1) having a transmit mode and a press to talk (PTT) switch (16) to set the radio to a transmit mode, characterised in that the system further comprises a radio interface (6, 19) associated with the radio and a universal communication interface (UCI) (12) in which the PTT (16) switch is located, the radio interface (6, 19) arranged to releasably mount said UCI (12) and provide communication between the UCI (12) and radio (1) when mounted thereon.
 2. A system as claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of radio interfaces (6, 19) which can each receive the UCI (12).
 3. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plurality of radio interfaces (6, 19) are of different types, being application specific and arranged to connect to different radio types and/or be mounted in different locations.
 4. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the radio interface (6) is on the housing of the radio (1).
 5. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the radio interface (19) is a remote interface located away from the radio (1) but connected thereto by a physical communication link (20), either a wire or optical fibre.
 6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the radio interface (19) is arranged to be worn by the operator.
 7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the radio (1) is a personal role radio arranged to be worn by the operator.
 8. A system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the radio (1) is arranged to be mounted on a vehicle.
 9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the UCI (12) is arranged to be connected to said radio (1) by means of the radio interface (6, 19) and to be connected to a second radio by means of a wire or optical link (21).
 10. A system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said wire or optical link (21) is arranged to terminate in a manner such that mounting the UCI (12) on the radio interface maintains the wire or optical link in contact with the UCI (12).
 11. A system as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein said radio is a personal role radio (1) and said second radio is a network radio.
 12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the UCI (12) has two PTT switches (16, 17) mounted thereon, one associated with a first radio (1) and the second associated with a separate radio network.
 13. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the UCI (12) contains circuitry to prevent cross connection between at least one transmission and one reception signal associated with different radios.
 14. A system as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the first radio (1) is a personal role radio and the second radio is a combat network radio.
 15. A system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the UCI (12) comprises a connection (15) for an operator headset.
 16. A system as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a wired remote PTT module having a PTT switch (24, 25) which module is small relative to the UCI (12), the UCI having a connection for the wire (22) of the remote PTT switch so that the function of the PTT switch (16) of the UCI can be operated remotely of the UCI (12).
 17. A system as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a cordless remote PTT module (33) comprising a PTT switch (34), the remote module (33) comprising a short range, relative to the radio, transmitter (38), the UCI (12) comprising a receiver (42) for receiving signals from the remote module (33) to remotely activate the function of the PTT switch (16) of the UCI (12).
 18. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the short range transmitter (38) is a radio transmitter.
 19. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the short range transmitter is an infra-red transmitter.
 20. A system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the remote module (33) comprises two PTT switches associated with different radio networks.
 21. A system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein a signal (37) transmitted from the remote module (33) comprises a code and the receiver of the UCI is responsive to the code.
 22. A system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the receiver (42) of the UCI (12) is responsive to a plurality of codes associated with different remote modules (33).
 23. A system as claimed in claim 21 or 22 wherein the receiver (42) has a learn mode in which it can learn the codes of a remote module.
 24. A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the UCI (12) comprises a magnetically operated switch (43) and the remote module (33) comprises a magnet (35), the magnet and magnetically operated switch being arranged such that the magnetically operated switch is caused to adopt a learn mode position when the remote module including said magnet is held in an appropriate position relative to the magnetically sensitive switch, in which position activation of the PTT switch (34) on the remote module (33) causes the UCI (12) to learn the code of the remote module.
 25. A system as claimed in any one of claim 24 wherein depressing the PTT switch on the remote module (33) a number of times or for a period in excess of a predetermined period causes one or more codes to be removed from the UCI (12) so that the UCI is no longer responsive to those codes.
 26. A Universal communications interface (UCI) (12) for a system as claimed in any preceding claim.
 27. A personal role radio (1) comprising a radio interface (6) for a system of any preceding claim.
 28. A cordless remote module (33) for a system as claimed in any one of claims 17 to
 25. 29. A radio system substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as illustrated in one or more of the accompanying figures. 